I've posted a couple of pictures at my web site http://stevewalternature.com/ . Not being on top of Golden-crowned Sparrow plumages, I assumed while I was there that it's a first winter (immature) bird. It is what you expect in these situations. Now having had a chance to look at references and pictures, I'm not so sure about that. This bird seems brighter on the crown and above the eye than many immatures. which are often rather plain faced with limited yellow. But it is noted that there's enough variability in adults and immatures that they can't always be aged. This individual looks very similar to the one in figure 48.3 in "Sparrows . The Photographic Guide", which is left undetermined to age. You can look it up for yourself, if you care about that sort of thing.
Steve Walter Bayside, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
